• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.19
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• pp.63-112
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• 1990

The environment of the modern library is changing rapidly with advancements in information technology, massive increse in information, and with the changing needs of users for information in order to keep up with developments in science and technology. The library should also be in a constant state of change in accordance with the changing environment. But the current situation is that library organizations in Korea do not show any change. Here arises the need to diagnose the health of these organization. Organizational innovations can be achieved either by change in the organizational structure or administrative methods or in personal attitudes. In making organizational innovations, however, it is not sufficient only to change the organizational structure or the administrative methods without changing personal attitudes. The purpose of this thesis is to diagnose the health of university library organizations in Korea and to suggest prescriptions based on the results of this diagnosis, by means of organization development theory. In this study, the action research model and the diagnostic model were developed for the health of university library organization in Korea. The action research model consisted of 3 steps: diagnosis, intervention and evaluation. The diagnostic model comprised diagnostic criterion and diagnostic indicators. The health of an organization was selected as the diagnostic criterion. Diagnostic indicators were divided into 3 levels: personal job-satisfaction at the individual level, cohesiveness at the group level, and the organizational climate at the organizational level. Both the interview and the questionaire were used as diagnostic methods. The questionaire form was designed according to the Likert typle 5-point scale. For the investigation, 10 university libraries were selected from the private universities in Seoul, and questionaire sheets were sent to their 156 librarians and responses were received from 116 persons. An interview was carried out with a selected chief of departments of the library concerned. The results of the diagnosis show that the average personal job­satisfaction was 3.57, the group cohesiveness was 3.15 and organizational climate was 2.93, and accordingly the comprehensive health indicator was 3.22. The health of university library organizations in Korea was generally on the decline at all 3 levels. In particular, the organizational climate was in a very weak state. Most problems concern dissatisfaction with personnel policy, communications and non-professionally qualified directors. As the prescriptions, the following was suggested: institutionalization of the staff meeting for resolving problems with communication, appointement of professional directors, performance appraisal, conferring faculty status for librarians, and a suggest system. And for the improvement of the organizational climate, managerial grid training was suggested as one of the educational strategies for organizational development.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to categorize lifestyle patterns and to define the characteristics of the lifestyle of middle class residents in Seoul. Questionnaires were administered to 1572 homemakers in Seoul. Statistics with the SPSS software package for factor analysis and F-test was used. The results showed that the type of car which the residents owned was a major indicator to classify SEC(Socio Economic Class). The middle class was categorized into four groups which were relevant classifications based on determining indicators obtained from previous studies: the lower middle class which owned a Tico was classified into the Economy Concerned Lifestyle category the middle class which owned an Elantra was classified into the Health Concerned and Hobby Oriented Lifestyle category the upper middle calss which owned a Sonata was classified into the Interior Design and fashion Oriented Lifestyle category and the lower upper class which owned a Grandeur was classified into the Hobby and Fashion oriented Lifestyle category.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.269-277
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• 2018

As multicultural population has been drastically increasing over the decade in Korea, their quality of life needs to be studied. This study focuses on multicultural youths' suicidal issue in Korea. Suicide is one of the most obvious indicators to show the current status of mental health. Unfortunately, suicide attempt rate of multicultural youths was two-times more than that of non-multicultural youths in Korea during the past two years(2014-15). Through the literature review in Korea as well as the United States, this study explores the related variables to their suicide attempt. Research result says that multicultural youth's suicide is related to a variety of variables, including physical, psychological, educational, socio-economical, and cultural variables. Research implications are as follows: First, these variables can be utilized as predictive or protective factors to prevent their suicide. Second, theoretical framework for comprehensively understanding their suicidal issues needs to be developed. Third, both emergent and normal suicidal interventions need to be provided for multicultural youth in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.311-329
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• 1996

This study was designed to compare the level of medical utilization between the urban and rural areas of Korea and to explain the differences between the two regions. Data from the National Health Interview Survey performed by the Korean Institute of Health & Social Affairs in 1992 were used for this study utilizing a sample size of 21,841 people. The level of medical utilization such as the number of physician visits and the number of hospital admissions was compared between the regions with ANOVA. Various determinants for medical use were also compared by univariate analysis. Statistical models which included enabling factors, predisposing factors, need factors and region were constructed for bivariate analysis in order to further elucidate the level of medical utilization. The results were as follows: 1. There was greater medical use, both in terms of physician visits and inpatient care in the rural areas in spite of insufficient health resources. The particular reasons for higher medical utilization in rural areas were attributed to a higher number of initial physician visits as well as a longer the length of stay per hospital admission. Therefore, indicators representing the degree of met need (utilization/need) showed no significant difference between rural and urban areas in spite of the fact that the medical need is larger in rural areas. 2. Use of public health facilities received a significant portion of physician visits in the rural area. The government's effort to enhance primary health care through health centers, health subcenters and the nurse practitioner's post in rural areas has contributed to the increase of access to medical care in the rural areas. 3. There were some differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between two regions ; There were more elderly people over the age of 65: unstable marital status, less education and lower incomes also characterized the rural areas. Therefore, among rural people, there were more predisposing factors for medical use. Additionaly, need factors such as poor self-reported health status and high morbidity level were also high in the rural area. 4. In contrast it was learned that, the supply of health resources was mostly concentrated in the urban areas except for public health facilities. Therefore, geographical access to medical care was lower in the rural area both in terms travel time and travel cost. 5. The coefficient of the region variable was insignificant in the regression model which controlled the supply factor only. However, utilization was significantly higher in urban areas if the model included predisposing factors and need factors in addition to the supply factor. The results were interpreted as rural people have greater medical needs.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.491-507
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• 2021

Background: This study aims to measure regional healthcare differences in Korea, and define relatively underserved areas. Methods: We employed position value for relative comparison index (PARC) to measure the healthcare status of 250 areas using 137 indicators in five following domains: healthcare demand, supply, accessibility, service utilization, and outcome. We performed a sensitivity analysis using t-SNE (t-distributed stochastic neighboring embedding). Results: Based on PARC values, 83 areas were defined as relatively underserved areas, 49 of which were categorized as moderate and 34 as severe. The provincial regions with the most underserved areas were Gyeongbuk (16 areas), Gangwon (13), Jeonnam (13), and Gyeongnam (12). Conclusion: This study suggests a relative comparison approach to define relatively underserved areas in healthcare. Further studies incorporating various perspectives and methods are required for policy implications.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.168-183
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• 2023

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion: Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.182-192
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• 2022

Objectives: Understanding the factors influencing mothers' decision to breastfeed their infants is essential to formulate effective breastfeeding interventions. This study explored the determinants of optimal breastfeeding indicators in Indonesia. Methods: We used the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey to analyze factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and continued breastfeeding at 1 year (CBF-1) and 2 years (CBF-2). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine bio-demographic, socio-cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with breastfeeding after considering the survey design effect. Results: The risk of delayed breastfeeding initiation was higher among infants who were born smaller, first-born children, were delivered via cesarean delivery, and did not have immediate skin-to-skin contact (p<0.01). Infant's age, birth pattern, household wealth index, and the mother's occupation and smoking status were predictors of EBF (p<0.05). CBF-1 was less common among first-time mothers and those working in the non-agricultural sector, mothers from wealthier families, and mothers who had cesarean deliveries (p<0.01). Infant's age was negatively associated with CBF-2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 0.99). Mothers attending college were less likely to practice CBF-2 than those with no education or primary education (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.77). The absence of postnatal visits was a risk factor for CBF-1 and CBF-2 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Breastfeeding interventions in Indonesia should pay particular attention to at-risk groups such as women from wealthier families, working outside the agricultural sector, and with a higher education level. Nutrition-sensitive programs (e.g., postnatal care and smoking cessation) should also be encouraged.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to explore relationships between residential areas and smoking rates and to identify related factors contributing to smoking in Korea adolescents. Methods: An analysis was done of smoking rates and socioeconomic position indicators by city size based on a 2012 cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted with 74,186 Korean middle and high school students aged 12-18 years old. Data were analyzed using x2-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN18.0 program. Results: Analyses revealed that rural boys were more likely to be current smokers compared to metropolitan boys (odds ratio 1.18, 95%-confidence interval 1.01; 1.38) but residential areas and smoking rates among girls were not related. After adjusting for covariates, results showed that city size, Family affluence score, economic status, parents' education level, living with parents, school type, and school achievement were related to increased an proportion of adolescents who smoked. Conclusion: In conclusion, rural living is a determinant of smoking among boys. Tobacco control programs should recognize differences in living conditions between rural and urban areas.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.77-106
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• 1994

This study attempts to evaluate the beneficial equity and operational efficiency of the three Korean medical insurance programmes and thereby suggest directions for their policy improvement. Concepts of the equity and effciency were reviewed to develop indicators for comparative analysis. For the analysis, statistical and financial accounting data for 1991, issued by the National Federation of Medical Insurance and the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation, on the operational status and performances of the programmes, were collected and rearranged to be suited to the purpose of the study. The analysis reveals that beneficial inequity exists between self-employed and employee programs. and that operational inefficiency is prominent in both programms for self-employeds and for Government employees and private school teachers. In order to improve the beneficial inequity of the self-employed program, it is suggested that policies be formulated and implimented toward increasing the program revenue through increasing subsidies from the Government, and through inter- program finance adiustment. For the operational inefficiency of the two programs, it is judged that, toghether with the administrative support and control from the Government and the insurance society bodies, self- efforts be initiated to improve the internal mangement styles and systems of the insurance societies. Finally, from the viewpoint of the structural efficiency, expansion of the preventive insurance benefits by the insurance soceties is recommended both for beneficial equity and operational efficiency.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide hospital management diagnosis status and basic data required for the future development of hospital management diagnosis program. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey on administrative staff of manager level or over of medical institutions in B metropolitan city. Results: As a result of analyzing the relative influence of the needs by hospital management diagnosis indicator, the effect of financial analysis indicator, patient treatment record indicator and medical revenues indicator were high in the medical institutions with number of beds of 100 beds or over and general hospital level or over both on a hospital level and on an individual level. Conclusions: Since the existing laws or systems are centered on large major hospitals, the management environment is very unfavorable for small and medium hospitals as can be seen from the results of this study. Therefore, the government should improve the transparency and rationality of the hospital management environment in Korea through regulation and system reforms that can be applied to all medical institutions.